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I need a kingpin set for my axle, which is a 54 1/2 ton. The problem is, I need .010 over on the pin and oversize bushings also because my spindles are slightly oversize. I'm having trouble finding a set that combines both. Any ideas?? Dave

Buy the oversize pin kit and make bushings to fit.
Or find new spindles.
Or use loctite bearing retaining compound to take up the slack and fix the bushings in the spindles. (Bushings are pressed in the spindles on the larger trucks, I can't understand why they didn't on the small ones...)

Grigg

If you get the pins, than go to a bearing shop or go here

McMaster Carr and look thru the sleeve bearings, bronze,get smaller inside and larger outside dia., than you can have them fitted to you're outside and inside dia.You just have to take you're spindals and the pins with you .

Pete

What I'm trying to do is not break the bank, It seems the only way I can get oversize pins is in a kit, then I'd have to have bushings made, I was hoping to get both in a kit and save myself some time and money.

I'm not aware of a kit to solve your problem all at once.
Fact of it is you have worn spindles, it'll take some extra effort to deal with them, or replace them.

If they are not extremely worn you can fix your bushings (that come in the king pin kit) in the spindles with
"Loctite 660 Quick Metal Retaining Compound, Press Fit Repair"
When you use it be sure to line up the grease hole if there is one, and you must install the pin in the bushings to align them, then after it has cured slide pin out and assemble your front end as usual.

With this solution the bushings are no longer free to turn in the spindles and wear them any further. This time all the wear is between the king pin and the bushing, which are simpler/cheaper to replace. I still can't understand why GM used floating bushings to start with... Perhaps easy assembly but sure doesn't pay off in the long run when spindles wear out.

Grigg

When I put the bushings in there is a slight amount of play, will the locking compound cure that or is that just a shade tree fix, I'm only planning on doing this once, and the right way. Dave

The "right" way is to measure what you have and see if they are within specification, replace parts as necessary.

If worn beyond what GM allows but not excessively worn and still within the capabilities of what the loctite literature says then the loctite repair is a good and permanent solution, it is designed to do what you're asking it to do..

Grigg

Another idea, Get the oversize pins and the oversize bushings. Install the bushings and take the spindles to a truck shop to have them reamed and hone to fit the new pins. You will have tight bushings and guaranteed alignment.

Problem is the bushings that come in the kit for a 1/2 ton can't be reamed. They are already a slip fit on the kingpin, and a slip fit in the spindles, or with worn spindle bores they'll be a sloppy fit and that's the issue at hand.

This set from Clasic of America is .010 over in the pin and the bushing outside dia. part # 74-103B and is $64.95.

Pete

There was a post several years ago where a member here solved this problem on his truck. If I remember correctly he made his own bushing from another type of bushing, pressed it in and reamed it to fit. Of course he took care to make the necessary lube channel inside.

This problem I believe is a weakness of the floating bushing design.

Maybe this post will be of some help: Oversize OD Bushing

I checked on that Part #, it's oversize on the bushing but not on the kingpin, I thought I needed both, I just tried new stardard size bushings in my spindles and they slip in with some resistance, I guess I was wrong thinking they should be pressed in. I believe now that I may only need oversize pins because the pins on my axle will, after being put in the axle will drop through on their own, one has some slop while in position the other does not. After listening to you folks I believe I now only need .010 over king pins, I'll have to have a machine shop bore the axle out. When installing the new bushings should I still lock them into position just for good measure? Thanks for all the help. Dave

I think locking the bushings in the spindles is a great idea, then next time your spindles won't be worn any more than they are now.

Grigg

I had hardened steel bushings installed in my axle because of the same problem. They are now standard.

How would you go about locking the bushings in the spindle?

Thanks so much guys, I ordered a .010 over kingpin set today, things are on the move now. Dave